Combined BS/MS Program

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Since 2008, the Department has offered a combined BS/MS degree program to enable talented students to earn both a BS and an MS, both in Computer Science, within a shorter period than earning the degrees separately, typically 5 years.

Students in this program must satisfy all standard requirements for both the Computer Science BS and MS degrees; however, students admitted as Combined BS/MS may use up to 9 credits that were taken while enrolled as an undergraduate toward both degrees. Students applying for the program should familiarize themselves with the MS degree requirements, found in our graduate policy manual.

* Only courses in CMSC, AMSC/MATH/STAT are eligible for double-counting.

Eligibility

Interested students must meet the following criteria before their application can undergo a holistic review:

  • Hold a major in Computer Science at UMD; double majors are acceptable, however, students from non-CS majors are ineligible
  • Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 *
  • Have completed a minimum of 90 credits prior to application
    • Possess no more than 30 remaining credits of CMSC courses for the B.S. degree
    • Have no more than six credits of General Education requirements left to complete for the B.S. degree
  • At the time of application, be within two to three semesters away from their undergraduate graduation
  • Preferably have engaged/initiated research activities under the supervision of a member of the graduate faculty
  • Have obtained a recommendation letter from that faculty member endorsing the student applying to the M.S. program and (if applicable) stating that they agree to advise the student during their M.S. program *
  • Submit a CV detailing relevant experience and qualifications

* Note: If your GPA is marginally below the required threshold (e.g 3.48) but you anticipate it will meet or exceed this by the admission deadline, you may initiate the application process; however, the CS Graduate Office will only proceed with your application when your GPA achieves the requisite 3.5 minimum. Those who do not meet this requirement are welcome to apply to the non-combined M.S. program or any professional Masters programs.

* Students may find themselves in a semester where they are taking three 400-level courses without having secured a faculty advisor for the MS program. In such cases, they are still eligible to submit the BS/MS form. However,  they should find a faculty advisor by the time they apply for MS admission.

Your Combined BS/MS Degree Journey

Step 1: Research and Plan

  • Review the Combined BS/MS and CS graduate degree requirements two to three semesters before graduating. Plan your coursework and consider engaging in research to enhance your application.

Step 2: Complete Your Combined BS/MS Coursework

  • Consult with your advisor about your course selection. For optimal progression in the Combined BS/MS program, enroll in three 400-level (or higher) CMSC courses within a single semester (See Course Selection).
  • Submit the Combined Bachelor's/Master's degree form using this link to the CS Graduate Office. The office will review, secure necessary signatures, and forward your paperwork to the Graduate School.

Step 3: Receive Graduate School Approval

  • After the Graduate School reviews and approves your form, you will then be able to select "Combined Bachelor's-Master's" (CSMS-31P) in online graduate application.

Step 4: Apply to the CS Graduate Program.

  • Apply via the online graduate application and submit your BS/MS Program Application (further details on admission application and deadlines are available here).
  • You must apply for the CS Graduate program in a fall semester (either third-to-last or second-to-last semester) to start in the subsequent spring or fall semesters.

Step 5: Bachelor's Program Graduation!

  • You must graduate in the semester you indicated on your graduate application. Please see the "Commencement Delays" section for more information.

Step 6: Post-Admission Submission

  • By your 2nd semester or in the term you are planning to graduate, submit the UMD Graduate School Inclusion Form to ensure  ensure that your double-counted credits are recognized and applied to your Master's degree.

Step 7: Master's Program Graduation!

  • Fulfill all program requirements and celebrate your achievement!

Key Points to Remember:

  • You won't have the ability to choose the "Combined Bachelor's-Master's" (CSMS-31P) option under "Level of Study" until the Graduate School approves your Combined BS/MS form.
  • You must apply for the term that immediately follows your completion of the bachelor's degree. For example,
    • If you plan to graduate with your BS in Fall 2024 and start your graduate program in Spring 2025, submit your graduate admission application for the CS graduate program in Fall 2024 by the September deadline;
    • If you plan to graduate with your BS in Spring 2025 and start your graduate program in Fall 2025, submit your graduate admission application for the CS graduate program in Fall 2024 by the December deadline.

For admission deadlines, see the Prospective Student page. 

Combined BS/MS form and Graduate Application Submission Windows

Summary: in your third-to-last or second-to-last semester, register for three 400-level (or higher) CMSC courses and submit the Combined BS/MS form to the CS Graduate Office.Once approved by UMD's Graduate School, proceed to submit your graduate program admission application.

  • Spring Term Submission Windows:
    • Start Date: After the schedule adjustment period
    • End Date: One week before the semester ends (last day of class)
  •  
  • Fall Term Submission Windows:
    • Start Date: After the schedule adjustment period
    • End Date: One week before the semester ends (last day of class)
    • For students applying for Spring term admission, be aware that the application cut-off is one week before the Spring term admission application deadline (typically the last Friday in September). 

* Schedule adjustment period

* Note: You may submit your Combined BS/MS form in either the spring or fall semester, but you can only submit a graduate application in the fall semester. If you plan to graduate in a spring semester, please ensure that your Combined BS/MS form is submitted and approved in a previous spring or fall semester before applying to the graduate program in your last fall semester.


Guidelines & Regulations

Course Selection

  • Students may include between 3 to 9 credits.
    • Please note that since CMSC412 is a 4-credit course, you can only double count two courses totaling 7 credits, as the maximum allowed cannot exceed 9 credits.
  • Courses on your Combined BS/MS form for dual credit are final. You cannot revise them later.
  • To optimize your academic path in the combined BS/MS program, enroll in three CMSC courses in a single term. Courses should be 400-level or higher and exclude independent studies and special topics. A suitable 400-level (or higher) course from AMSC/MATH/STAT may also be used as a substitute.
    • Past Courses: Courses from previous semesters will not be retroactively approved for the Combined BS/MS program under any circumstances. 
    • Future Courses: Students may include courses from future terms if they encounter difficulties enrolling in all three courses in a single term. However, failure to register for planned future courses will result in the forfeiture of double-counted credits.
  • Fall Graduates only: students in their final semester who intend to apply for the Combined BS/MS program may still proceed with their applications; however, they are restricted to listing only those CMSC or AMST/MATH/STAT courses for which they are registered in in their final semester.
  • Taking 9 double-counted credits doesn't assure MS completion within one year post-BS. Before the start of your final year, please reach out to your assigned academic advisor about the option of enrolling in a 400- or 600-800-level CMSC or AMSC/MATH/STAT course (except for independent studies and special topics) for graduate credit only. If approved, you'll need to complete a Graduate Credit Permission form. Your assigned academic advisor will provide further details on this process.

Application Limitations

  • Students rejected from the dual Bachelor's/Master's program can only apply for the traditional Master of Science in future application cycles.

Deferments & Leaves

  • Admitted students cannot defer their Master's program start. Students may request a Leave of Absence in their first year in the Master's program. The only reasons combined B/M students may take a semester/year off immediately after earning the bachelor's degree are: childbirth, adoption, serious health condition, caring for incapacitated dependents, financial hardship, and military service (i.e., allowed reasons under the Graduate School's Leave of Absence policy).

Commencement Delays

  • If students don't start their Master's program immediately after finishing their Bachelor's degree, any credits that were set to count for both degrees will only apply to the Bachelor's degree. The Combined BS/MS Form cannot be approved retroactively once the student has entered graduate studies.